One of my favorite people, my Aunt Sue, died unexpectedly. She was my grandpa’s little sister, but to me, she was more than just a branch on the family tree: Aunt Sue helped shape my life more than she probably ever realized! She left an imprint that time won’t easily erase.
My mom wrote this on Facebook yesterday:
Our family is saddened by the unexpected loss of my aunt Marilyn Naylor this week. Mrs. Naylor was a beloved business teacher and senior class sponsor at Yorktown High School for many years. She also was an avid golfer and bowler and loved to travel with her husband, Bill Naylor, and friends.
Aunt Sue had an incredibly youthful attitude and loved to laugh. She was an unfailing encourager and role model for her students, friends, and family members. What a happy reunion she must have had with her dear brothers, Bob Swander and my dad, Charlie Swander!
Aunt Sue was one of my favorite supporters. We went on vacation together when I was twelve or thirteen. At every family gathering, she was always the first to seek me out and ask what was new in my life and what my next project was. The funny thing was, she already knew: she followed along on this blog and on social media, and kept up with what I was up to! Still, her questions mattered. She wanted to hear from me in person. Small acts like hers made me feel at home at family gatherings and meant more to me than she probably ever realized. I think she did things like that for everyone she encountered.
We called Marilyn Naylor “Aunt Sue” because my grandma, Marilyn Holloway, became another Marilyn Swander when she married my grandpa. A Marilyn Lou and a Marilyn Sue turned into a confusing situation!
Aunt Sue was the most active person I’d ever known. A search through newspapers reveals tons of golf and bowling outings over the years. Even well into their eighties, Aunt Sue and Uncle Bill lived life to the fullest.
That’s part of why my Aunt Jan and I planned to interview her about her family history this coming Monday. Unfortunately, Aunt Sue reminded us that she and Uncle Bill had bowling and that our interview would have to wait. Now, we’ll never have that chance.
Still, the example that Aunt Sue set remains. She showed us what it looks like to stay curious, engaged, and generous with encouragement. She paid attention and made people like me, her students, and her friends feel seen and worth rooting for. That may be Aunt Sue’s greatest legacy! Long after the conversations we had and those we didn’t get to, her laughter, her wit, and her belief in the people she loved will continue to echo through our family. I will miss her a lot.
